A HOSPITAL doctor accused of biting chunks out of his wife's face yesterday claimed that he was acting in self-defence.

Alfred Bediank Osei, 34, a senior house officer in the accident and emergency department of the Countess of Chester Hospital, gave evidence at Chester Crown Court.

He is accused of biting his 32-year-old German wife, Dr Julia Osei, a gynaecological consultant, taking chunks of flesh from her face.

Wy n L l oyd Jones, prosecuting, said: "These were bites with some force behind them, you caused mutilating injury. This was a man conscious of what he was doing."

Mr Lloyd Jones described how Mrs Osei received seven separate bites during the incident which included bites to the face, neck, upper arm and bruising to her neck, right lower back and leg.

Osei, born in Ghana, denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and an alternative charge of grievous bodily harm, following an incident in the bathroom of their home in Shrewsbury Way, Saltney.

Osei denied a deliberate attack against Mrs Osei, a former doctor at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Osei said: "I did not appreciate that this was what I was doing, I did not intend harm."

The jury heard allegations of how Mrs Osei was struck on the head with a china vase.

This was followed, the prosecution told, by deliberate choking around the throat and repeated biting to her face, neck and hand.

Mrs Osei needed surgery for her injuries and skin grafts to repair a large portion-Daily Post Correspondent of skin and muscle which had been removed from her left cheek.

Mr Lloyd Jones told the jury of Osei's violent reaction to the breakdown of his marriage.

It was claimed the incident happened a week after when Mrs Osei had decided to leave the house and get a divorce when she was due to take up a new post in Edinburgh. Mrs Osei had returned to the house at 8am to collect her things after staying at her friend's house for the night.

The couple had an argument when Osei wanted to see the divorce papers, Mrs Osei tried to go upstairs but he grabbed her leg and tried to push her down the stairs.

Mr Lloyd Jones told of the alleged threats that Osei made to Mrs Osei if she told the police.

The prosecution told how Mrs Osei, scared for her life, returned to the house later that day, where the attack took place.

Dr Cameron Boyd, a consultant psychiatrist, said Osei was not suffering from insanity.

He said: " In a highly aroused state, people do not remember the full details of what happened and if there was memory loss that would be the most likely explanation. The person does not realise what the consequences would be, it is described as the 'red mist'."

Mr Lloyd Jones added: "Someone can choose what he wants to remember and what he does not want to remember.It was what he was thinking at the time that matters. The nature of the injuries prove intention."